Mahopac graduate Kyle Georgalas became a Cornell assistant because coaching "makes differences in the lives of young men and women." / Angela Gaul/The Journal News

Written by

Joe Lombardi

The Journal News

When Kyle Georgalas reflects on his career on the Cornell men's lacrosse team, there isn't a win or loss that stands out most in his mind.

Considering what the former Mahopac star and his teammates experienced his junior year in 2004, it's easy to understand why. It was on March 17 of that season that fellow defenseman George Boiardi died after being struck in the chest by a shot from a Binghamton player.

Georgalas was on the field when the incident occurred.

Now, three years later, Georgalas is an assistant coach for the unbeaten Big Red, who have spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the nation and clinched their first outright Ivy League title since 2005 Saturday with an 11-8 win over Brown.

While this year, his second on the Cornell coaching staff, has been one of triumph, hardly a day goes by without Georgalas reflecting on that tragic day and how it changed him.

"It gives you a wider perspective," the 24-year-old said. "It makes you see lacrosse as just a game. It teaches you important lessons in life - like don't take anything for granted, because you never know when the day comes.

"George was a great guy and a leader, and worked so hard. You always ask the question: Why does stuff like this happen? But it's made me a better person and showed me that we're here; we have a purpose. Part of the reason I wanted to get into coaching is because it changes lives and makes differences in the lives of young men and women."

That Georgalas decided to pursue such a career wasn't unexpected. His father, Ted, founded the Mahopac varsity program in 1982 and later coached the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse. He's now a varsity assistant at Mahopac, working with head coach Ryan McClay, himself a former star defenseman for Cornell.

Though the younger Georgalas has been at it less than two years, he said his coaching style is different from his dad's.

"My father is a big-time motivator," he said. "He always was. I'm a little more subdued. But I'm still learning from him. When we talk on the phone, it's always X's and O's."

The fact that Georgalas joined Cornell's coaching staff almost as soon as his playing career ended is surprising. Most major Division I programs require their assistants to accumulate prior coaching experience.

But Cornell head coach Jeff Tambroni had no reservations about having Georgalas join his staff.

"It was a little bit unique," Tambroni said. "Typically you would have reservations about that. But Kyle, even before he graduated, seemed to be able to separate his role as a leader and teammate and friend - so much so that when he came into his first year coaching, he really hit the ground running."

Georgalas said his youth hasn't hindered his effectiveness as a coach.

"That's the first question people always ask," he said. "Sometimes it's difficult to have to bark or get after guys you're only a year or two older than, but they've done a great job understanding and respecting the fact that I'm now a coach."

The 6-foot-2 Georgalas was a two-year captain, a first-team all-Ivy selection and an honorable-mention all-American. He was regarded as the team's most respected player, and now, as a coach, that respect has continued.

"He's a wonderful mentor to our guys," Tambroni said. "He's living proof that you can be a hard-working student at the same time you're a hard-working player. He was such a fiery competitor, and he brings that to the practice field every day. His maturity and experience go way beyond his years."

Reach Joe Lombardi at jlombard@lohud.com or 914-696-8239. For an archive of stories in this series, visit lohud.com/catchingup.